American Express lowered its APR on the American Express Platinum Business Freedom Pass Credit Card this week from 15.99% to 12.99%; this makes the credit card one of the top five lowest interest rate credit cards in the business credit card section as of the date of this post.

Why Businesses Choose the American Express Platinum Business Freedom Pass Credit Card

Your Credit Network offers more than 25+ business credit card offers to entrepreneurs searching for the perfect line of credit, so what is it about the American Express Platinum Business FreedomPass Credit Card that makes it so special? First, let’s take a look at some of the program’s features that set this business credit card apart from the rest in its category:

• Free Reward Program – Members of the American Express Platinum Freedom Pass program enjoy a point-based reward program at not additional charge.
• First Purchase Bonus Points – 5000 bonus points will be awarded to cardholders after their first purchase.
• Great for Companies that Travel Frequently – The point-based system allows for the redeeming of points earned toward virtually any travel-related expense imaginable; those that can’t be used may be easily converted to cash rebates for your convenience.
• Reward Points Never Expire – Great news for companies that make small or infrequent purchases that wouldn’t otherwise allow for large rebates due to a short point expiration period.
• No Limit on Points Per Purchase – This card doesn’t place a limit on points that can be earned during a time period or on a per-transaction basis, so cardholders who make large or frequent purchases can get the most bang for their buck.

How Does this Credit Card Compare to Others?

The AMEX Platinum Business Freedom Pass Credit Card also allows members to carry a balance from one billing period to the next, which is not the case for other American Express credit cards such as the Business Gold Rewards Card or the Business Green Rewards Card. It also has one of the lowest annual percentage rates for purchases (12.99%) of the cards that do allow for balances to accrue, second only to the American Express Platinum Business Credit Card and the Blue Cash for Business Credit Card, which both have an APR of 11.24%.

The bottom line with the American Express Platinum Business Freedom Pass is actually included within the name of the card – freedom. What sets this credit card apart from other American Express cards as well as credit cards from competing issuers is the freedom to use as many of the points earned whenever you want, where ever you want, and on whatever you want. Other cards may have marginally lower interest rates, but the restrictions on the rewards earned through program participation are the price you pay. Business owners / financial decision-makers who don’t want to put up with the hassle of these restrictions would be well-advised to put the American Express Platinum FreedomPass Credit Card at the top of their list.

Additional Resources:

• Credit Card Review: American Express Platinum Business Freedom Pass Credit Card
• Other Credit Cards for Businesses
• American Express Cards

Kimberly Carte
Team Your Credit Network

Chase has announced that they will be offering 20,000 bonus miles to United Mileage Plus Signature Visa Card applicants after their first purchase. This is an increase of 2,500 miles from their initial offering of 17,500 – as well as a free one class upgrade certificate which can also be used in place of a 1,000 mile bonus. Chase also offers insurance against accidents while traveling, lost luggage, and a vast array of other emergency assistance services, all for no additional charge,

In addition to this free bonus rewards increase, this airline credit card also offers a simple one miler per dollar reward program, with a 10 mile per dollar bonus if the card is used at certain restaurants and select retailers. If you love to fly United and you like the world-class customer service that is synonymous with Chase Bank, then this credit card is definitely for you.

Additional Resources:

• Credit Card Review: United Mileage Plus Signature Visa Card
• Credit Cards from Chase Bank
• Other Airline Reward Cards

Kimberly Carte
Team Your Credit Network

Yesterday Advanta announced name changes for the three credit card products offered on Your Credit Network. Even though the names have changed, Advanta still offers the same great customer service to all of its business-minded consumers without fail – and this is an excellent opportunity for us to highlight some of the program benefits for these uncommonly solid business credit card offers.

Advanta Platinum Business Card with Rewards

(Formerly the Advanta Platinum Rewards Business Card MasterCard)

This is the most popular credit card offered by Advanta, due in large part to the robust rewards program which includes 5% cash back on fuel, computers, computer software, office and related supplies, telecom/utility bills, and online advertising expense. For purchases that do not fall under any of these categories, a 1% cash back rebate is offered – though cardholders may only earn $300 per annum with a monthly ceiling of $25. The alternative to this program is a point-based system, which allows for the accrual of one point per dollar spent that may be redeemed toward travel expenses and pre-paid retailer cards; these points do not have a limit and will expire in three years from the original purchase date. Businesses that use the Advanta Platinum Business Card with Rewards frequently generally prefer the point system for maximum benefit, whereas businesses with smaller or less frequent purchasing need tend to opt for the cash rebate system. Neither of these plans has additional cost associated with participation.

Advanta Life of Balance Platinum Card

(This credit card maintained its name as is)

This business credit card was designed for firms that need to transfer large balances or several smaller balances onto one handy card. Unlike the other two credit cards currently offered by Advanta, the Advanta Life of Balance Card offers a 2.99% APR on all balanced transfers made within the first three months of card ownership for the entire life of the balance; this is in direct contrast to the other offers which place an introductory rate on balance transfers for 6 or 12 months. Another added bonus for this credit card is a rewards program similar to that of the regular platinum business reward card above, with similar point/rebate systems for new purchases at no additional cost.

Advanta Platinum Business Card

(Formerly the Advanta Platinum Business Card MasterCard)

This credit card is the standard issue model from the Advanta credit card line. It offers no rewards program to its cardholders, though there is an attractive 0% purchase rate for the first twelve months of use.

Additional Resources:

• Credit Card Review: Advanta Platinum Business Card with Rewards
• Credit Card Review: Advanta Life of Balance Platinum Card
• Credit Card Review: Advanta Platinum Business Card
• Advanta Credit Card Listing
• Credit Cards for Businesses

Kimberly Carte
Team Your Credit Network

Be advised that Citibank updated their AT&T line of credit card products with new interest rates for both purchases and cash advances. These changes can be viewed by selected the AT&T credit card of your choice (these can be found at the Citibank Credit Cards page) and then clicking the “Terms & Conditions” link near the end of the credit card review.

Why are annual percentage rate changes important?

Apart from the obvious fact that its just good practice to know what you’re getting into before you apply for a credit card, it is a little known fact that more than half of all credit card consumers make choices related to their lines of credit without first consulting the issuing bank or reviewing the most current rates available. Ironically this isn’t always the fault of the consumer, but instead the portal through which a consumer will be directed to a credit card application (similar to Your Credit Network.) These portals may not make use of direct connections and partnerships with credit card issuers and, as such, will not always display changes to credit card rates or other relevant information.

Your Credit Network’s goal to provide you with the most current and accurate information for each of our credit products is something we take very seriously, so if you suspect that any of the information posted on our website is inaccurate or if you have a question as to what a particular fact means, please contact us.

Team Yourcreditnetwork.com

Earlier this week we retired the Vaya Prepaid MasterCard from our line of offerings at the issuer's request. We've received quite a few emails inquiring whether or not the program will be reinstated, but at this point it seems as though Vaya will not be offered by us or the original issuer (BANKFIRST Bank) for quite a while. Worry not, there are quite a few other prepaid credit cards that are just as good and available to you right now!

Your Credit Network's Top 3 Prepaid Credit Card Recommendations:

Account Now Vantage Debit MasterCard
The most attractive thing about this prepaid card is the fact that the program does not require an annual fee commitment from its participants. This is excellent news for most consumers who would apply for a prepaid card, since money is often tight enough without the added stress of an annual fee. One of the other major benefits to the Account Now card comes in the form of credit rebuilding tools and resources for program participants at no additional charge; this makes the Account Now MasterCard one of the most sought-after prepaid credit cards in our offering.

Prime Mutual MasterCard
The Prime Mutual card has long been a favorite of Your Credit Network patrons, boasting amazing customer service and a free 30-day credit builder elite status to applicants that would like to take their credit rebuilding status to the next level. Prime Mutual is seen as a major player in the prepaid credit card marketplace for their commitment to a more financially stable consumer, and we think you'll see exactly why if you choose to apply for this particular prepaid credit card.

Wired Plastic Prepaid Visa Card
If you find yourself on your cell phone more often than not, the prepaid Wireless Plastic card is right up your alley. As one of (and possibly the only) prepaid credit cards out there with a rewards program, the Wireless Plastic Visa allows its cardholders to earn one point per dollar spent that can be applied to wireless talk time, long distance calling cards, music downloads and ringtones from participating partners. Can you think of anything better than getting free wireless rewards just for taking advantage of a prepaid credit card? We can't - which is why Your Credit Network gives the Wired Plastic two big thumbs up!

Information about these and other cards is available on our prepaid credit cards page.

Team Yourcreditnetwork.com